The 2026 season finally burst into life at Alghero and it didn’t take long for Ducati’s new Desmo 250cc project to make headlines, with Ferruccio Zanchi securing a podium finish during his first race on the new bike. Behind the scenes, Joakin Furbetta has been guiding the development of the bike while also working closely with two very young but highly promising riders in Zanchi and Simone Mancini.
Fresh from a demanding winter of testing and preparation, Furbetta reflects on the importance of racing in tough conditions, what impressed him most about Zanchi’s performance, and how the Desmo 250cc is progressing. He also opens up about the differences between working with experienced stars like Antonio Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino compared to nurturing the next generation, as well as sharing his thoughts on the long and demanding 2026 calendar.
GateDrop: Joakin, the season finally got under way at Alghero, a podium for the new Desmo 250cc. Coming in did you expect this?
Furbetta: Finally, we’re back racing again. My goal is to work hard with my team and riders. So, if the podium is the result of our work, I think we’re doing a great job.
GateDrop: Ferruccio Zanchi went 2-6 on the day to end up third overall. What pleased you the most about his performance?
Furbetta: His mentality impressed me the most. He was calm for the entire race in both moto’s.
GateDrop: It was 19-11 for Simone Mancini, he got better as the day progressed so you must be happy with that?
Furbetta: He did a great weekend, with some good passes. He just needs a few more week to show what he really can do.
GateDrop: The track was very rough, so I imagine that was good for the data. What kind of things did you learn about the bike at Alghero?
Furbetta: For us was really important to race in that condition. We have some really important data we’ll work on for the future.
GateDrop: Did both riders race the factory bike or did they race the stock bike?
Furbetta: Ferruccio is on the CORSE bike – that means he is racing the Factory bike. Simone is on the OEM bike until now.
GateDrop: What has the winter been like? This time last year you were working closely with very experience riders – Lupino and Cairoli but what has it been like working with Zanchi and Mancini? Two very young riders!
Furbetta: It is different work. When you have riders like Cairoli and Lupino, you need to listen a lot, we have something to learn from them. With the young riders, you can grow up doing nice training together, but sometimes you need to calm them down, they want to push at 100% always.
GateDrop: In terms of the bike, what kind of things have you changed from the start of the winter now to get both riders as comfortable as possible?
Furbetta: A few things about their stature, like the seat, pegs, handlebars etc..
GateDrop: Guys like Lupino and Cairoli know exactly what they want from their bike so they’re comfortable because they’re very experienced. What has it been like getting feedback form Zanchi and Mancini to get the bike right for them? Sometimes can younger riders go in the wrong direction?
Furbetta: I’m the one who suggests the right setup changes to try on the bike, and if they like them, we move forward with that.
GateDrop: In terms of personalities, what have Zanchi and Mancini been like to work with?
Furbetta: Ferruccio is a work machine but is also a beautiful person. Simone is a bit younger, for him, he is working really hard is something new, but he never gives up.
GateDrop: What do you expect from them both in 2026 in terms of results?
Furbetta: They need to give their all for every single race. In the end we will see the Championship standings.
GateDrop: What’s your thoughts on the 2026 calendar? 20 rounds is a lot – is it difficult to find the budget to do all the rounds? There’s also a lot of EMX250 rounds as well…
Furbetta: Nothing is really easy, but if you work well normally it’s less complicated to build partnership with brands.
